For the most part, it's widely understood that digital marketing is a must for dealerships today. But with so many options and avenues that fall under "digital marketing", what should dealerships invest in for car sales lead generation?
a. Facebook:
- Facebook is a behemoth in the world of social media, boasting over 2.8 billion monthly active users. Dealerships can't afford to ignore the potential of this platform.
- Leverage Facebook's advertising tools to create targeted ad campaigns that reach users based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
- Use dynamic ads to showcase your inventory and retarget potential customers who have previously visited your website or interacted with your dealership online.
b. Instagram:
- Instagram is a visual platform that's ideal for showcasing your vehicles in an engaging way.
- Run photo and video ads on Instagram to capture the attention of a younger and highly engaged user base.
- Utilize Instagram Stories to provide sneak peeks of your latest inventory or behind-the-scenes glimpses of your dealership.
c. TikTok
- TikTok is rapidly gaining popularity, especially among younger demographics. Dealerships can tap into this trend to reach a new and highly engaged audience.
- Create short, eye-catching videos that highlight your vehicles and services.
- Collaborate with influencers or run hashtag challenges to boost brand awareness and engagement.
a. Google Vehicle Ads:
- Google Vehicle Ads are designed to capture the attention of potential car buyers actively searching for vehicles.
- These ads appear at the top of Google search results and feature key vehicle details, enticing users to click through to your website.
- Google Vehicle Ads are particularly effective for reaching bottom-of-the-funnel leads who are close to making a purchase decision.
b. Google AdWords:
- Google AdWords is a versatile tool that allows dealerships to create highly targeted ads and reach potential customers at various stages of the buying journey.
- Use keyword research to identify relevant search terms and create ad campaigns that align with users' search intent.
- Incorporate ad extensions to provide additional information and encourage clicks.
c. Google Ads Across Google-Owned Sites:
- Extend your reach by advertising on Google-owned platforms such as YouTube and Spotify.
- YouTube is the second-largest search engine globally, making it an excellent platform for video ads showcasing your inventory and dealership.
- Spotify, with its audio ads, can help you reach potential customers while they're listening to music or podcasts.
a. Blogging:
- Maintain a blog on your dealership's website to publish informative and engaging content related to automotive topics.
- Blog posts can cover everything from car maintenance tips to reviews of the latest models.
- Valuable content can position your dealership as an authority in the automotive industry and attract organic traffic.
b. Video Marketing:
- Create video content that highlights your vehicles, showcases dealership events, or provides informational videos about the car-buying process.
- Share these videos on YouTube, social media, and your website to engage your audience visually.
Email Marketing:
- Build and segment your email list to send personalized and relevant content to your leads.
- Email campaigns can include newsletters, promotions, and vehicle updates.
- Use data from your CRM system to tailor messages to specific customer segments.
To excel in online marketing, it's essential to track and evaluate the performance of your campaigns. Here are some key metrics and strategies for improvement:
1. Performance Metrics:
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as click-through rates, conversion rates, bounce rates, and cost per acquisition (CPA).
- Utilize analytics tools to gain insights into which channels and campaigns are most effective in driving leads and conversions.
2. A/B Testing:
- Experiment with different ad creatives, messaging, and landing pages to determine what resonates most with your target audience.
- A/B testing allows you to refine your campaigns and optimize results.
3. Data-Driven Decisions:
- Continuously review the data and adapt your marketing strategy accordingly.
- Allocate your budget to the most successful channels and campaigns, and refine your targeting based on insights from your CRM system.
Don't have the time or overwhelmed with where to start? LocalShift offers social media posting, ads management, and email services specifically aimed towards generating auto leads for you, so you can focus on your role at the dealership. Learn more here or send us a text.
